Helen A. Austin, 97, of Pony Farm Road, Moretown, passed away in the
comfort of her home and family on Monday evening, August 10, 2009. Born
in Ryegate on July 29, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Clayton
A. Sr. and Jessie A. (Wood) Murray. On September 12, 1934, she married
Theron E. Austin in Riverton. Theron predeceased Helen on January 11,
1995.
Helen was a graduate of Montpelier High School. Following her marriage,
she was busy and happy as a homemaker, raising her family and helping
her husband on the family farm in Moretown. A longtime member of the
Moretown United Methodist Church, Helen was active as a teacher and
treasurer for the church Sunday School, was a member of the United
Methodist Women and was involved in the Moretown PTA. For many years
Helen raised Shetland and Welch ponies at the farm and was a familiar
face at a variety of state fairs and county field days where she gave
pony rides to generations of families. Well known for her baking and
cooking abilities, Helen made and decorated numerous wedding cakes over
the years as well as baked beans and fudge for a variety of church
functions. In her leisure time she thoroughly enjoyed gardening and
bird watching.
Helen is survived by her children who all live in Moretown, Wilma
Maynard and her husband Gerald, Marilyn Spaulding, Stanley Austin and
his wife Suzanne, Harold "Hoover" Austin, and Merrill Austin and his
wife Marti; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and four
great-great grandchildren. Helen was predeceased by a son, Wendall
Austin, and three brothers, Keith Murray, Chauncey Murray and Clayton
"Tot" Murray Jr.
Memorial services will be held from the Moretown United Methodist
Church on Sunday, August 16, at 1:30 p.m. There will be no calling
hours. The family requests that flowers be omitted, rather memorial
gifts would be appreciated to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice,
600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641, or to the Mad River Valley Ambulance
Service, P.O. Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673. To send online condolences
visit www.perkinsparker.com. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker
Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
